Former Nittany Lion O.J. McDuffie wins civil suit against team doctor
Former Penn State WR and NFL first round pick O.J. McDuffie has $11.5 million reasons to smile. The ex-Dolphin’s star WR won his medical malpractice lawsuit against former team doctor John Uribe after two weeks of trial.
Back in 1999, McDuffie suffered a big toe injury. Though his MRI revealed he had a serious toe injury, Dr. Uribe (if I can still call him doctor) and other team doctors said the exam was inconclusive and the workhorse needed to go back out on the field and play. McDuffie was injured in the 10th game of the season. He played in two more regular season games and in both playoff games despite his toe tendon damage.
The following season, McDuffie’s career came to an end as he only had 14 reception for 143 yards in 2000. Prior to the 2002 season, the Dolphins cut McDuffie because of his lack of productivity which presumably stemmed from his toe injury.
Prior to his toe injury, during the 1998 season McDuffie led the NFL in receptions with 90 catches for 1050 yards and 7 TDs. McDuffie has since gone under the knife three times to repair his toe. It’s obvious his playing days are well behind him, but this victory should provide comfort for the lifestyle he has grown accustom to as the verdict represents his lost earnings and pain and suffering.
The real lesson to be learned is how much do teams weigh injuries when it’s their star player that is injured. McDuffie should not have been on that field after his toe injury, it only exacerbated the situation, but the Dolphins were playoff bound with Jimmy Johnson not taking no for an answer.
McDuffie settled with the other team doctors, but Uribe was convinced he did nothing wrong and refused to settle. His attorney stated the verdict was a travesty and that an appeal will be filed.
